Stop texting

[Billy Shafer]

I have a friend that doesn't share family problems. His wife called me last night to try and talk to him. Seems there son was in a very bad wreck. The 1st week of March. Came home a week ago and had to go right back. Some kid texting hit him head on.Now a hard working 28 year old may not live or will be crippled for life. Just trying to think of what to say to him. How do you tell a man. That his last kid may not live. Not looking forward to the talk.

 

[stonerock]

WOW.......I cant help you, but pray to god for a answer!

 

[jimqc]

Would it be feasible for the automakers to devise a method of shutting off the motor or the I phone while the car is moving during texting ?

 

[jimg.allentown]

Every time I go on the road, I see drivers texting as they drive, texting at stoplights, and weaving all over the road. Many times, I have called in on them. There is little if any enforcement happening. Really sorry to hear about yet another victim of a bad driver.

To JimQc:
Please do not ask for more unworkable electronic gadgets to police the texting drivers. Such a device would not only stop a driver from texting, but would also stop others in the car from texting. In an emergency situation, such a device could potentially deny communication when it is needed most. The real place to apply technology is sitting squarely behind the steering wheel. Bad driving has its roots in lack of education of the driver to the seriousness of operating a motor vehicle safely. That means NO distractions. No playing with the radio, the phone, eating a meal, reading a magazine or newspaper, or even more distracting activity that the filters here will not allow.
I have personally seen all of the above from the seat of a big truck for over 20 years.
What is really needed is better enforcement of distracted driving laws. Texting while driving is nothing short of reckless. Penalties should be harsh.

Think about this:

If I pointed a loaded gun at you, I would be arrested and likely imprisoned. I would also likely lose my right to ever own a firearm again.

If I pointed a 2-ton piece of steel, glass, and plastic at you, even if it caused you injury or death, the penalty would likely be a slap on the wrist and told not to do it any more.

My not so humble opinion is that driving while distracted should be elevated to the level of reckless driving and should result in license suspension followed by permanent revocation for subsequent offenses.

Meanwhile, Smokey the Bear is trying to collect fines for seat belt violations or just hiding behind a sign with a radar device looking for somebody to be going 2 mph over the limit (like in Ohio).

Another pet peeve of mine is calling a collision (that is the result of carelessness) an "accident." There is nothing accidental about a distracted driver causing a crash. Negligent but not accidental!

 

[wisbaker]

But how could it tell if it was the driver or a passenger texting? I do agree you shouldn't text and drive and this is a prime example of why. Unfortunately our society and the lawyers and shrinks will try to minimize the ramifications to the driver (if they lived) so he will feel alright. Actions have ramifications. As for what to say to the father that'd a tough one, maybe talk to a pastor or someone else who has been trained in that and they can give you some pointers. There used to be an organization called Stephen Ministries that would partner with churches and provide training on proper responses that would help individuals in specific cases such as loss of a spouse or child, loss of job, loss of parents and injury that will leave you disabled. You might see if there's a Stephen Ministries Affiliated Church in your area.

 

[Billy Shafer]

I wish it was. I have over thirty years over the road. Never needed texting or cell phones. When the company did give me a cell phone. I always pulled over to use it. Then when they gave us hands free systems. I refused to use it. I told them when I am driving. My job is to drive not talk on the phone.

My problem with John is that he is very tight lipped. Doesn't trust very many and preachers are at the top of the list. Going to the hospital later today.Going to spend the weekend with them.

 

[kcm.MN]

jimg -- I agree with your post wholeheartedly, save one point. Unfortunately, I have had loaded firearms pointed at me MANY times where we live now. Why? Well, it happens during deer season and is always some hunter out there too lazy to use his binoculars, so he'll "scope" around. I was looking down the road for something one year when I noticed a rifle pointing my way. I slowly removed my right hand from the binoculars, but they didn't care - just kept scoping me. That's just wrong!

 

[John Deere D]

We who live in a Democracy for the most part become angry with Government intervention. I'm a total believer that education by affecting ones Bank account,is the fastest way to drive home right from wrong. I cannot possibly imagine the grief and sorrow from loosing a love one due to stupidity on some one else's "TEXTING RIGHTS". How does an individual/society have the law changed to make TEXTING a FELLONY, when the Politian's are Texting while driving! I reside several months of the year in Canada and several months in the USA. The Province I spend summer months in has made texting an offense that affects your drivers license.....fines that remove money from your bank account and yes DRIVERS still TEXT!!!. Arizona is my adopted home in the winter months.......Drivers are seen texting often! Texting is a cultural thing. I believe the penalty for texting while driving,has to effect ones bank account, to the point that individuals turn cold,pale and clammy (shock) to even hear the words Texting while Driving.

Bob..

 

[steve706]

Fines really do nothing at all except make the government coffers fuller. Drunk driving= Monetary fine and some cases prison time, people still drink and drive. Same goes for seatbelts, smoking in car with kids etc...all of it still happens despite fines. People do not consider breaking the laws that deal with driving the same as they do with regular crime laws. It's just the way it is.

 

[dhermesc]

There is nothing you can say other than offer support. I went through the same thing when my son was 5 years old. The first couple years of his life we thought if the pro football quarterback thing didn't work out he could always be a doctor, at 5 years old he was diagnosed with myoclonic-astatic epilepsy that was going to leave him crippled for life. We were told to take him home and build a ramp, plan on my wife becoming his full time care giver and to look into a wheelchair van - we would need it.

 

[Married2Allis]

Texting killed a precious little 5 year old girl nearby and I still see the flowers and cross on the guard rail. The cell phone manufacturers should be held responsible. They have the technology to disable these devices when driving. Could easily get together with the auto manufacturers and make it happen so you would need a permit and special programming or hardware to make calls in a moving vehicle (for police, firemen, EMTs, etc.). I don't believe that gun makers should be accountable for murders, but a car is a murder weapon in the hands of a fool who thinks they can drive 50+ mph and poke tiny little keys on their iPhone that you can barely see when your standing still, and pay attention to the road.

 

[Goose]

My GPS unit won't allow you to change or enter instructions while the vehicle is in motion. That technology could easily be integrated into cell phones if the manufacturers wanted to.

 

[DGinVT]

Why can't it be feloney offense. 6 months to... plus 2/3 permanent point on you license

 

[Billy Shafer]

Just got back from the hospital. Ronny sure doesn't look good. Had to go back because a piece of metal was missed and it cut a blood vessel. They were getting him ready to transfer to Dallas. Doc said he would get better care up there. They just don't have the equipment for brain damage cases. Ronny is like a grandson to me. Known him since he was a baby. It was very hard to look at him now. His eyes were open but I don't think saw anything. I don't think he has a chance. Hate to say it.

 

[woodbutcher]

Billy,
I'm sorry to read about what happened to Ronny. It's sad to think somebody was so distracted from driving that they would cause such an injury. I wanted to tell you about my neighbor who fell off the top of his 6' stepladder onto a concrete floor while installing some lights in his shop. He broke 12 ribs and received a brain injury. He was careflighted to Dallas and was in the hospital for several months. I went to see him while he was there, and I would not have thought it was possible for him to get back to the point where he is today. I credit his wife's close attention to his care and the hospital, Plano Medical, with bringing him back to a useful life.
Butch

 

[wjytexas]

I'm sorry for your pain. It appears texting was involved in that wreck near Uvalde that killed 13 church members. The Texas Ledge. a few years back sent a bill banning texting while driving to our former Governor for Life and he vetoed it because it would be intrusive to personal liberty.

 

[Stephen Newell]

I would like to see all cell phone use banned, including handsfree. I see people all the time using handsfree talking with hand gestures and fumbling with papers. There mind is obviously elsewhere than their driving. I was in heavy stop and go traffic yesterday which is difficult enough to drive and I think nearly half the people on the road were fumbling with a cell phone.

 

[Billy Shafer]

Thanks. I used to service the generators at Plano Medical. Very fine hospital. It was very hard to look at Ronny,his eyes were open. But it was a stare I haven't seen since nam. There was nothing there. Hard to think about him not being here at such a young age. I hope for the best,but from what I saw. It doesn't look good. Gonna miss his practical jokes.

 

[Billy Shafer]

I remember that. The lifer was wrong. Even if people ignore the law. It would give the courts something to fight with.Nothing will change until common sense returns to the world.My dad always told me. Everything you do will effect someone. So think before you act.

So now we have a 28 year old hard working man. Trying to be a farmer fighting for his life. A father that is so full of drugs to calm him down. A good mother trying to hold it all together. All because and idiot just had to send a message.

 

[kcm.MN]

(quoted from post at 05:35:25 04/15/17) I'm sorry for your pain. It appears texting was involved in that wreck near Uvalde that killed 13 church members. The Texas Ledge. a few years back sent a bill banning texting while driving to our former Governor for Life and he vetoed it [b:3d3fb13514]because it would be intrusive to personal liberty[/b:3d3fb13514].

...So is being distracted and causing a fatal crash. So which genius-of-all-politicians was this?

 

[Billy Shafer]

Little idiot Rick Perry.

 

[fixerupper]

That is a tough one. You do need to go see him. Tell him you came to tell him you are thinking about him and are concerned for him and his son. If he wants to talk, sit, look him in the eye and listen. A couple things you do not want to do is tell him you know how he feels because of something similar you might have experienced. If you say that he will fell like you are minimizing his feelings. Do not approach him with a big happy smile and slap on the back. You will be denying his want to grieve. Even though his son is still with him he is still grieving in a certain way. Don't be afraid of a few tears. Yes, real men do cry.

Anyway, again, you need to build up the courage to pay him a visit. He will remember your visit for the rest of his life.

 

[Billy Shafer]

Thanks. I know when my wife died. I didn't want to hear. I know how you feel. We were at the hospital yesterday. They were preparing Ronny for
transfer to Dallas. John just lost it had to give him a pill to calm him down. I have known him since 1974 when we both came home from nam and joined
the guard. Going to his place today to check on both of them. Phone call just wont do.

 

[ASEguy]

Very good answer in my opinion.